CONCORD, NH – Volunteer NH held their Annual Meeting the last week of January to mark the transition of Board officers, welcome new members, and share updates and accomplishments.
The dedicated team of staff, Board members, committee members, sponsors, and partners supporting the efforts of Volunteer NH banded together around a common goal in 2021: to engage NH communities to solve local challenges through volunteerism. Among their accomplishments last year were:
- The collaborative creation of a Justice Equity Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Plan to serve as a guiding document for Volunteer NH practices, policies, and procedures.
- Awarding a collective $214,315 to 10 local nonprofits in the first-ever Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) cohort. These funds supported nearly 5,000 volunteers as they served more than 390,000 hours in 2021.
- Members of eight AmeriCorps State programs improved nearly 300 miles/acres of public land, improved the academic achievement of nearly 400 students, provided financial literacy services to nearly 250 survivors of domestic and sexual violence – and more.
- Their volunteer-matching website, Get Connected, grew to more than 16,000 registered users and 525 active volunteer opportunities – which have an 80% response rate within the system.
“We are proud to continue connecting nonprofits to volunteer resources to meet the challenges of the pandemic,” said Gretchen Stallings, Volunteer NH Executive Director. “Going forward into 2022, we hope to build on these successes, guided by strong leadership on our Board of Directors.”
Steve Epstein completed the second of his three-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors. After retiring as a Business Program Specialist at USDA Rural Development, Epstein identified the Volunteer NH Board of Directors as an opportunity to give back to New Hampshire, where he has lived since 1982. His involvement has included terms as Treasurer, Vice-Chair, Chair, and service on a number of committees. Additionally, he serves on America’s Service Commissions (ASC), a national nonprofit that supports and provides training for state service commissions like VNH.
Ally Snell has been selected to serve as Vice-Chair in 2022. Ally Snell is the Director of International Programs and Experiences at Southern NH University and an adjunct instructor in the communications department. Prior to returning to her home state of NH in 2018, Ally served in Peace Corps, AmeriCorps the federal agency, and the USDA. She holds her BA in Anthropology from Beloit College and an MS in Community Economic Development from SNHU. Originally from Goffstown, Ally lives in Concord, NH with her husband and daughter.
Guy Eaton will again take up the role of Treasurer. Guy retired from his 42-year career in Facilities Management at the University of New Hampshire. However, he is as active in the community as he has ever been. He belongs to a number of organizations and is active in Scouting. Guy has been a member of the Volunteer NH Board since 2017. He currently lives in Dover, where he has been a proud lifelong resident.
Greg Lange was again voted as Secretary. He works in the Office of Philanthropy & Engagement at The Derryfield School in Manchester. Prior to Derryfield, he served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and VISTA Leader at Families in Transition. In addition to serving as Secretary for the Volunteer NH Board of Directors, he has also served on the committees for the Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism, and the Spirit of NH Awards. He is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and currently lives in Manchester.
Volunteer NH is a nonprofit organization established in 2000 and is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and approved by the Executive Council. Volunteer NH envisions our state as a place where people volunteer together to build strong and connected communities. We bring our vision to life by engaging those communities to solve local challenges through volunteerism.